Image Reading Apparatus Z-Fold Document Memory Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face productivity decreases when handling Z-fold mixed documents, as they require system control changes and memory management adjustments, leading to inefficiencies in image data management and wasted space in page memory.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with a document size detector and processor that identifies Z-folded documents, unfolds them if necessary, and assigns image data to page memory based on detected sizes, setting Z-folded document management size to twice that of non-Z-folded documents, with flag information indicating folding status for efficient memory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the management size of image data is set in advance based on the document size detected on the document tray, then memory management is simplified, but productivity decreases when handling Z-folded documents due to required system control changes and reading speed adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of Z-folded documents in the document tray before actual image reading begins. By detecting the presence of Z-folded documents in advance and preparing appropriate management sizes beforehand, the system avoids mid-reading adjustments and maintains continuous reading operation, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified memory management and reading productivity
2Measurement precision
If the management size is changed according to temporary stop of reading operation and change of reading speed for Z-folded documents, then accurate image reading is achieved, but productivity is lowered due to system control changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects the management size based on the detected document type (Z-folded or non-Z-folded) without requiring temporary stops or reading speed changes. The management size is adjusted dynamically from the detected document size or twice that size, allowing continuous reading operation while maintaining accurate image reading, thus resolving the contradiction between reading accuracy and productivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the management size is set based on the maximum readable document size as a reference, then Z-folded documents can be read, but wasted space is generated in page memory for non-Z-folded documents
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different management size strategies to different document types locally: for non-Z-folded documents, the management size equals the detected document size; for Z-folded documents, the management size equals twice the detected document size. This localized adaptation eliminates memory waste for non-Z-folded documents while maintaining proper handling of Z-folded documents, resolving the contradiction between document type adaptability and memory space efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus which includes an image reading section and a document conveyance section, the image reading apparatus including: a document size detector which detects a document size of the document; and a processor configured to detect whether or not a Z-fold exists in the document for which the document size is detected by the document size detector; unfold a Z-folded part of a Z-folded document for which a Z-fold is detected; and assign image data of the image to a page memory on the basis of the document size detected by the document size detector and whether or not a Z-fold is detected.